We had a packed room for ANC 6B’s September meeting on Tuesday night. Here are the highlights:
- The commission unanimously supported the extension of Performance Based Parking (PBP) north of Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Blocks with PBP restrict parking to Zone 6 residents only on one side of the street. The expansion includes all streets north of Pennsylvania Ave SE from 2nd Street SE to 11th Street SE (East Capitol Street SE is not included). PBP would be in effect 6 days a week for most of the expanded area, though the commission has requested that PBP be in effect for 7 days on the blocks between 5th Street and 8th Streets SE.
- On a 9-0-1 vote, ANC 6B voted to protest a liquor license Ambar, a new restaurant planning to open at the location previously occupied by Jordan’s 8 (523 8th Street SE). The protest was mainly due to the inability to negotiate a voluntary agreement prior to the meeting (owner was out of the country). Hopefully, the commission and owner can come to an agreement in the near future.
- Commissioner Norm Metzger (6B03) discussed an August 27 letter (pdf) ANC 6B received from DC Water regarding damage to the pocket park located at Potomac Avenue SE and M Street SE. DC Water General Manager George Hawkins explained that his agency was using the park as a staging area for the Clean Rivers Project and would replace the park once the project is completed. The commission felt that DC Water’s response was satisfactory and did not take any action on the issue.
- The commission unanimously supported the design concept for a proposed development at 1211 G Street SE, the site of a former Salvation Army Building. If it moves forward, the development would include a renovation of the existing building and the construction of new row houses along G and 12th Streets SE.
- The commission also unanimously supported plans for the 2013 USA Rock N’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon taking place Saturday, March 16, 2013. Unlike previous years, the marathon will not begin and end on Capitol Hill and will not cause multi-hour street closures on race day.
- After a lengthy discussion, the Commission postponed taking action on a resolution calling for the closure of the 300 block of 7th Street SE during construction of the Hine project. The 300 block of 7th Street SE has been discussed as the location for the weekend flea markets during and after Hine construction. Commissioners Brian Pate (6B05) and Ivan Frishberg (6B02) requested postponement to allow for the views of the brick and mortar merchants along the block to be incorporated into the resolution.
- Lisa Sutter from MPD’s Traffic Safety Automated Enforcement Unit talked about MPD’s efforts to install additional speeding cameras and other photo enforcement tools across the city. In addition to speeding cameras, MPD is getting ready to introduce stop sign, truck and cross walk cameras across the city, starting with blocks near schools. When I asked about ANC 6B’s request for a speed camera on 17th Street SE, Ms. Sutter said that they had received the request and are waiting for the DC Council to approve the new photo enforcement tool contract, hopefully this month.
- The commission also heard brief remarks from Elizabeth Falcon of the Housing for All Campaign, an initiative that is trying to get DC to invest additional dollars in affordable housing. The campaign is hosting a Ward 6 Town Hall on Thursday, Oct. 11. Additional details are available on the Housing for All website.
- I reminded my colleagues and the audience that ANC 6B will be holding a special call meeting to consider proposed revised bylaws and proposed standing rules on Monday, Sept. 17, 7 pm at Brent Elementary School (301 North Carolina Avenue SE).
- The commission unanimously approved a budget for FY2013 and a new contract for ANC 6B Executive Director Susan Eads Role.
Brian Flahaven 